Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
#1Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 5:45pm
During the finale of KA, an artist suspended by wire fell to her death during last night's performance. Apparently she got loose from her safety wire and plummeted more than 50 feet. She was a mother of 2. 
Sorry I can't paste a link. This is soo sad.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#2Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 6:04pm
Wow. This is incredibly sad. I can't imagine what her family must be feeling.
Cirque Du Soleil Performer Killed in Fall During Show
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#2Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 6:16pm
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
ARTc
Stand-by Joined: 11/4/11
#3Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 6:18pm
The battle scene towards the end of KA is quite spectacular with the performers climbing up and down the stage which is positioned at an almost 90 degree angle. As nobody is choreographed to fall during this sequence and all the performers are in harnesses, there are no safety nets below the deck level like at other times during the show.
This is a huge tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and friends of this woman and to the entire Cirque family.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#4Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 6:25pmSounds like Spider Man, all over again.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#5Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 6:27pm
From a 2010 performance here is what the battle scene looks like.
KA wall battle CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Las Vegas LIVE 2010
#6Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 6:32pm
This is horrible and incredibly sad. I never thought that KA would ever have an accident (well, at least not a falling to death one) in their years of running this show. I am truly saddened about this.
@Theatrediva Well, this person died, the guy from Spiderman is still living...
Updated On: 6/30/13 at 06:32 PM
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#7Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 6:42pm
And went back to the show and is fine.
Very sad, let's hope she didn't suffer. Just so terrible for the entire Cirque family, not to mention her own family and the audience members.
Yikes.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Updated On: 6/30/13 at 06:42 PM
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#8Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 7:01pm
I'm talking about free falling into the pit.
Not the actual outcome.
I can't imagine hearing her screams.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#9Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 7:14pm
I wonder what went wrong with the safety systems that have in place?
It is the largest air bag of it’s kind in existence today. it is designed to catch multiple fallers/jumpers from heights up to 70 feet. It utilizes a special air flow system that provides extreme safe and soft landings on impact.
Air Bag built specifically for Cirque Du Soleil
#10Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 7:15pmSo sad. I'm actually surprised to learn this is the first fatality in Cirque's 30 year history. They do such incredible, death-defying stunts in each and every performance.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#11Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 7:18pmI was just talking about how I maybe wanted to see this next time I went to Vegas. How tragic for this to happen.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#12Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 7:20pmIt's a credit to these artists and Cirque that no one has ever died or experience serious injury until now, especially since this insanely technical shows run twice a night, five nights a week. Just a shame this had to happen to a mother of two young children, and on the night of Cirque's newest opening down the street.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#13Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 7:36pm
"It's a credit to these artists and Cirque that no one has ever died or experience serious injury until now"
While this is the first time a performer has died there have been serious injuries before. A performer was injured earlier this week in the Michael Jackson show and suffered from a concussion after completely missing the protective pad meant to soften falls.
My thoughts and prayers go out to this performer's family, and everyone working on Ka.
ARTc
Stand-by Joined: 11/4/11
#14Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 8:31pm
The security system shown in the picture above is not in place during the final battle. There are many redundant systems of nets and cushions that position themselves throughout KA depending on the configuration of the stages and the movement of the performers. During the battle the acrobats are in harnesses that provide all the necessary safety precautions. The cushions shown in the photo are used during a very different sequence where the performers are not wired and at times even intentionally fall off the stage into the pillow system shown. This was a freak accident.
Updated On: 6/30/13 at 08:31 PM
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
ARTc
Stand-by Joined: 11/4/11
#16Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 9:05pmI have been fascinated by KA since its inception. I've had the incredible opportunity to see it twice and be given a very extensive backstage tour by one of the cast members. I remember asking about the net / safety system and being shown and explained how extensive it is. In fact, what goes on behind the scenes and out of view of the audience is almost as exciting as what is on stage(s).
#17Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 9:14pm
AEA AGMA SM, I didn't include that MJONE incident because that same article called it a mild concussion and the performer is meant to return to the show.
ARTc I'm incredibly impressed by the KA Theater, more than any other of their houses. I believe they spent the most on that stage, and it shows. The fact they've just reached 4,000 performances astounds me.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#18Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 9:16pmI bet the producers or directors will be re-evaluating the safety systems after this tragic event.
ARTc
Stand-by Joined: 11/4/11
#20Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 9:36pm
everythingtaboo... I too was impressed with the theater. What immediately stood out was the hydraulic system and the towers that move the main stage. From the audience it appears that the stage is just floating, but from backstage, you see the enormity of the units that hold, turn and tilt that stage.
But, there is so much more... like this totally cool train that aligns itself up with the stage to catch the cork - yes cork - that pours off the stage after the beach sequence.
I loved the show, but was even more blown away after going backstage. Years ago, here I posted some pictures. They're around here somewhere, if anyone cares to find them.
capnkidd
Broadway Star Joined: 9/11/04
#20Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 9:47pm
"While this is the first time a performer has died there have been serious injuries before."
This is the first time a performer has died during a performance. At least one performer has died in the past during training. Many, many serious injuries have happened during training, and many more during performances. A crew member lost 25% of his skull and was paralyzed below the waist when a prop fell on him.
Cirque had one accident that injured two performers, and when the show wasn't stopped, half the audience walked out on them. Their record is not as good as many seem to think it is.
Poor woman. I can't imagine what her family and the company is going through, and to a lesser extent, the audience that witnessed the fall and heard her screams. How awful she wasn't killed instantly.
Updated On: 6/30/13 at 09:47 PM
Starship
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
#21Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 6/30/13 at 10:45pm
As a circus performer myself, I know how sad and stunned everyone in the show must be right now . My heart goes out to everyone that knew the victim and her family.
Nettik
Featured Actor Joined: 6/4/10
#22Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 7/1/13 at 3:23pmIncredibly sad news. My heart goes out to her connections.
BroadwayBrat
Stand-by Joined: 11/29/04
#23Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 7/1/13 at 10:54pmThoughts and prayers to the performers family.
Visceral_Fella
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/12
#24Artist falls to death during Cirque's KA
Posted: 7/1/13 at 11:23pmI'm very sorry for her family's loss.
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